Atomic oxygen-induced erosion of fluorinated polymers in LEO: its collapse and new mechnism

• Project/Area Number: 18K18912
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 24:Aerospace engineering, marine and maritime engineering, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: Yokota Kumiko 神戸大学, 工学研究科, 助手 (20252794)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 田川 雅人 神戸大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (10216806)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2022-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2021)
• Budget Amount: ¥5,980,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,380,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥2,990,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥690,000)
• Keywords: 宇宙環境 / 原子状酸素 / フッ素系高分子材料 / 高質量分子 / 材料劣化 / 窒素 / 窒素分子 / フッ素系樹脂 / フッ素系高分子 / エロージョン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been widely believed that material degradation in LEO is due to atomic oxygen collision. However, ground based-simulation could not duplicate FEP erosion in LEO. This research proposed a new hypothesis that FEP is eroded mainly by N2 collision in LEO. We performed ground-based experiment using AO+Ar beam which simulates simultaneous AO and N2 collision. It was discovered that FEP is eroded much more than that of hydrocarbon in AO+Ar exposure condition. Since the erosion of hydrocarbon is accelerated by the simultaneous Ar (or N2) collisions, the experimental result implies that effect of Ar (or N2) collision on FEP gave even more acceleration on erosion than that of hydrocarbons. The overall conclusion is that FEP erosion in LEO occurs not only by the atomic oxygen collision, but also N2 collision acts as being accelerative or independent.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで地球高層大気による材料劣化現象は原子状酸素によるものと信じられてきた。この仮定のもとで全ての材料試験が行われてきたが、フッ素系材料など一部の宇宙用材料では軌道上での劣化現象と地上実験との間に不整合が生ずることが知られている。本研究ではこの未解決の問題が窒素分子等の高エネルギー衝突を考えることにより説明できることを示し、この結果に基づく地上試験方法国際基準の改定の必要性を明らかにした。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Anisotropic molecular scattering at microstructured surface for rarefied gas compression inside air breathing ion engine (2022)
  • Author(s): Kosuke Shoda, Naoki Kano, Yuki Jotaki, Keisuke Ezaki, Kazuki Itatani, Takashi Ozawa, Yusuke Yamashita, Kazutaka Nishiyama, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Journal Title: CEAS Space Journal Volume: 14
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Effect of simultaneous N2 collisions on atomic oxygen-induced polyimide erosion in sub-low Earth orbit: comparison of laboratory and SLATS data (2021)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa, Yusuke Fujimoto, Wataru Ide, Yugo Kimoto, Yuta Tsuchiya, Aki Goto, Kazuki Yukumatsu, Eiji Miyazaki, Shunsuke Imamura
  • Journal Title: CEAS Space Journal, Volume: 13 Pages: 389-397
  • NAID: 120007124107
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Laser-detonation hyperthermal beam source applicable to VLEO environmental simulations (2021)
  • Author(s): Masahito Tagawa, Ryota Okura, Wataru Ide, Sasuga Horimoto, Keisuke Ezaki, Atsushi Fujita, Kosuke Shoda, Kumiko Yokota
  • Journal Title: CEAS Space Journal Volume: 13
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Effect of atomic hydrogen exposure on hydrogenated amorphous carbon thin films (2021)
  • Author(s): Yuichi Haruyama, Daiki Morimoto, Akira Heya, Koji Sumitomo, Seigo Ito, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Journal Title: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Volume: 60 Pages: 125504-125504
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] Scattering behavior of thermal molecular beams at microstructured surface for high compression intake system of air breathing ion engine (2022)
  • Author(s): Keisuke Ezaki, Kosuke Shoda, Kazuki Itatani, Yuki Jotaki, Yuki Jotaki, Yusaku Ashida, Koki Sugimoto, Takashi Ozawa, Yusuke Yamashita, Kazutaka Nishiyama, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 33rd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Development of atmospheric density probe aboard S-520-32 sounding rocket (2022)
  • Author(s): Shoma Taira, Taishi Kato, Momoka Shimoi, Taiga Adachi, Towa Ushijima, Yusuke Yamashita, Takashi Ozawa, Takumi Abe, Yoshinori Nakayama, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 33rd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Ground-based experiment for simultaneous N2 collision effect on atomic oxygen-induced polyimide erosion in sub-low Earth orbit (2022)
  • Author(s): Sasuga Horimoto, Atsushi Fujita, Shohei Urakawa, Santa Nishioka, Wataru Ide, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 33rd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Accelerated AO-induced polyimide erosion in VLEO by simultaneous collisions of hyperthermal N2 molecules (2021)
  • Author(s): Sasuga Horimoto, Atsushi Fujita, Wataru Ide, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 1st International Symposium on VLEO Missions and Technologies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Atmospheric density probe for VLEO applications (2021)
  • Author(s): Taishi Kato, Shoma Taira, Momoka Shimoi, Kumiko Yokota, Yoshinori Nakayama, Takashi Ozawa, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 1st International Symposium on VLEO Missions and Technologies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Molecular scattering at microstructured surface for rarefied gas compression inside air breathing ion engine (2021)
  • Author(s): Kosuke Shoda, Naoki Kano, Yuki Jotaki, Keisuke Ezaki, Kazuki Itatani, Takashi Ozawa, Yusuke Yamashita, Kazutaka Nishiyama, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 1st International Symposium on VLEO Missions and Technologies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] VLEO-related research activities at Kobe University (2021)
  • Author(s): Masahito Tagawa, Wataru Ide, Naoki Kano, Momoka Shimoi, Yuki Fukami, Kosuke Shoda, Taishi Kato, Kazuki Itatani, Atsushi Fujita, Sasuga Horimoto, Keisuke Ezaki, Shoma Taira, Yuki Jotaki, Kumiko Yokota
  • Organizer: 1st International Symposium on VLEO Missions and Technologies
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] AO density variations during geomagnetic anomaly observed by SLATS (2021)
  • Author(s): Atsushi Fujita, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa, Wataru Ide, Sasuga Horimoto, Yugo Kimoto, Yuta Tsuchiya, Aki Goto, Kazuki Yukumatsu, Eiji Miyazaki, Yasunobu Miyoshi
  • Organizer: 2nd Applied Space Environments Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Effect of direct atomic oxygen exposures on carbon nanotube field emission cathode: comparison of flight data and in-situ ground-based experiment (2021)
  • Author(s): Kazuki Itatani, Keisuke Ezaki, Fukami Yuki, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa, Yasushi Ohkawa, Satomi Kawamoto
  • Organizer: 2nd Applied Space Environments Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 超低地球軌道における高層大気密度計測装置II (2020)
  • Author(s): 下位百香、加納直起、加藤大志、平 翔馬、山下裕介、小澤宇志、今村俊介、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第17回宇宙環境シンポジウム
• [Presentation] SLATS/AOFSデータを用いたポリイミドの超低地球軌道における材料劣化メカニズム解析 (2020)
  • Author(s): 井出 航、藤田敦史、堀本流石、土屋佑太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第17回宇宙環境シンポジウム
• [Presentation] AO照射によるカーボンナノチューブ電子放出源への影響in-situ評価に向けて (2020)
  • Author(s): 深見侑希、板谷一輝、江崎啓介、大川恭志、河本聡美、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第17回宇宙環境シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 導電性テザーの軌道上残存リスク低減に向けて ～AO照射によるCNT撚糸の低強度化の初期検討～ (2020)
  • Author(s): 板谷一輝、深見侑希、江崎啓介、大川恭志、河本聡美、矢野史章、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第17回宇宙環境シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 超低軌道宇宙環境における高分子材料の劣化特性とSLATSデータとの比較検討（III） (2020)
  • Author(s): 井出 航、藤田敦史、堀本流石、土屋佑太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] 神戸大学レーザーデトネーション型原子状酸素照射装置の特性 (2020)
  • Author(s): 深見侑希、板谷一輝、江崎啓介、岩田 稔、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道環境における分子密度計測を目的とした衛星搭載用圧力計測デバイス（II） (2020)
  • Author(s): 下位百香、加納直起、加藤大志、平 翔馬、山下裕介、小澤宇志、今村俊介、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] 大気吸入イオンエンジン内の大気圧縮特性と材料表面の適応係数に関する考察 (2020)
  • Author(s): 加納直起、庄田光佑、上瀧優希、小澤宇志、山下裕介、西山和孝、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] SLATS/AOFSデータを用いた磁気嵐発生時の超低地球軌道上原子状酸素密度解析 (2020)
  • Author(s): 藤田敦史、井出 航、堀本流石、土屋佑太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、三好勉信、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] 大気吸入インテーク性能評価に向けた地上試験に関する考察 (2020)
  • Author(s): 小澤宇志、田川雅人、横田久美子、今村俊介
  • Organizer: 第64回宇宙科学技術連合講演会
• [Presentation] 超低地球軌道環境における宇宙機熱制御材の材料劣化メカニズム解析 (2020)
  • Author(s): 井出 航、藤田敦史、堀本流石、土屋佑太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第41回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 低地球軌道における大気数密度の測定方法の検討 (2020)
  • Author(s): 下位百香、加納直起、加藤大志、平 翔馬、山下裕介、小澤宇志、今村俊介、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第41回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 熱制御材の原子状酸素による材料劣化メカニズムと神戸大学宇宙環境模擬試験装置の特性 (2020)
  • Author(s): 深見侑希、板谷一輝、江崎啓介、岩田 稔、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第41回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 大気吸入イオンエンジンにおける高速分子線圧縮シミュレーション (2020)
  • Author(s): 庄田光佑、加納直起、上瀧優希、小澤宇志、山下裕介、西山和孝、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第41回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 超高層大気観測用真空計の開発 (2020)
  • Author(s): 阿部琢美、田川雅人、渡部重十、横田久美子、加藤大志、田中勇人、三宅互
  • Organizer: 第3回観測ロケットシンポジウム
• [Presentation] Atomic Oxygen Exposure Test Capabilities at Kobe University: Its Performance and Limitations (2019)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa, Jacob I. Kleiman
  • Organizer: Advanced Space Environmental Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Reduced Dissociation of Molecules in Laser-Detonation-Driven Hyperthermal Beam (2019)
  • Author(s): Masahito Tagawa, Ryota Okura, Kumiko Yokota
  • Organizer: Advanced Space Environmental Conference
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Kapton erosion yields in various flight environments (2019)
  • Author(s): Wataru Ide, Yusuke Fujimoto, Kim K. de Groh, Bruce A. Banks, Yuta Tsuchiya, Kazuki Yukumatsu, Aki Goto, Eiji Miyazaki Yugo Kimoto, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: Joint Symposium of 32nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science and 9th Nano-Satellites Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Effect of collision energy on oxidation of Si atoms embedded in polyimide by simulated low Earth orbit space environment (2019)
  • Author(s): K. Yokota, R. Shirakawa, M. Shimoi, W. Ide, N. Kano, M. Tagawa
  • Organizer: 18th European Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Collision-induced erosion on polyimide in simulated low Earth orbit space environment (2019)
  • Author(s): M. Tagawa, R. Shirakawa, M. Shimoi, W. Ide, N. Kano, K. Yokota
  • Organizer: 18th European Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Direct simulation Monte Carlo evaluation of hyperthermal molecular flow in air breathing ion engine (2019)
  • Author(s): Naoki Kano, Ryo Shirakawa, Momoka Shimoi, Takashi Ozawa,
  • Organizer: Joint Symposium of 32nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science and 9th Nano-Satellites Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Development of ionization gauge for in-orbit measurement of molecular density (2019)
  • Author(s): Momoka Shimoi, Ryota Okura, Ryo Shirakawa, Naoki kano, Shunsuke Imamura
  • Organizer: Joint Symposium of 32nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science and 9th Nano-Satellites Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Particle simulations of ECR plasma generation in air breathing ion engine (2019)
  • Author(s): Ryo Shirakawa, Hideyuki Usui, Yohei Miyake, Masahito Tagawa, Kazutaka Nishiyama
  • Organizer: Joint Symposium of 32nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science and 9th Nano-Satellites Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Study of rarefied aerodynamics for super low altitude satellites (2019)
  • Author(s): Takashi Ozawa, Shunsuke Imamura, Masahito Tagawa, Kazuhisa Fujita
  • Organizer: Joint Symposium of 32nd International Symposium on Space Technology and Science and 9th Nano-Satellites Symposium
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 国際宇宙ステーション材料曝露試験における原子状酸素フルーエンス過小評価の可能性 (2019)
  • Author(s): 横田久美子、白川遼、井出航、岩田稔、木本雄吾、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第40回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Presentation] 衛星搭載用超低地球軌道分子数密度測定装置の開発 (2019)
  • Author(s): 下位百香、松岡弘洋、小澤宇志、西山和孝、今村俊介、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道宇宙環境場におけるDSMCシミュレーションと適応係数に関する課題 (2019)
  • Author(s): 加納直起、江塚風也、白川 遼、下位百香、小澤宇志、今村俊介、西山和孝、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] ハニカム構造のコリメータを用いた大気吸入イオンエンジンの圧縮性能評価 (2019)
  • Author(s): 江塚風也、加納直起、白川 遼、下位百香、小澤宇志、今村俊介、西山和孝、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] マイクロ波放電型イオンエンジンμ10の放電室汚染による性能劣化の評価 (2019)
  • Author(s): 白川 遼、山下 裕介、神田大樹、細田聡史、月崎 竜堂、田川雅人、西山和孝
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道環境下におけるポリイミド反応効率：地上試験結果と軌道上計測結果について (2019)
  • Author(s): 井出 航、藤田敦史、土屋祐太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道環境下におけるポリイミド反応効率：SLATS/AOFSデータ解析結果 (2019)
  • Author(s): 藤田敦史、井出 航、土屋祐太、後藤亜希、行松和輝、宮崎英治、木本雄吾、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] 原子状酸素照射の均一性改良と照射省力化に向けた検討 (2019)
  • Author(s): 深見侑希、岩田 稔、横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第56回日本航空宇宙学会 関西・中部支部合同秋期大会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道環境における中性ガス衝突誘起材料劣化現象メカニズムの解析 (2019)
  • Author(s): 横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: SLATS報告会
• [Presentation] A consideration of degradation of polymeric materials in sub-low Earth orbits space environment (2018)
  • Author(s): Yusuke Fujimoto, Ryota Okura, Kazuki Kita, Minoru Iwata, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 15th Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Development of a pulsed supersonic valve aimed for Martian atmospheric simulation (2018)
  • Author(s): Ryota Okura, Yusuke Fujimoto, Kazuki Kita, Minoru Iwata, Chee Sze Keat, Yugo Kimoto, Kumiko Yokota, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 15th Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Plasma particle simulation of ECR plasma generation in Air Breathing Ion Engine (ABIE) (2018)
  • Author(s): Ryo Shirakawa, Hideyuki Usui, Yohei Miyake, Masahito Tagawa, Kazutaka Nishiyama
  • Organizer: 15th Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] One-nozzle two-beam laser-detonation system (2018)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Yokota, Kazuki Kita, Ryota Okura, Teppei Shimizu, Sze Keat Chee, Minoru Iwata, Masahito Tagawa
  • Organizer: 14th International Symposium on Materials in the Space Environment/12th International Conference on protection of Materials and Structures in a Space Environment,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Over-estimation of atomic oxygen fluences due to undecomposed oxygen molecules included in hyperthermal beams (2018)
  • Author(s): Masahito Tagawa, Kazuki Kita, Ryota Okura, Yusuke Fujimoto, Ryo Shirakawa, Teppei Shimizu, Minoru Iwata, Kumiko Yokota,
  • Organizer: 14th International Symposium on Materials in the Space Environment/12th International Conference on protection of Materials and Structures in a Space Environment,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Enhancement of atomic oxygen resistance of charge dissipative ion beam treated polymers (2018)
  • Author(s): Z. Iskanderova, J. Kleiman, F. Bussieres, M. Tagawa, R. Ng, R. Sodhi
  • Organizer: 14th International Symposium on Materials in the Space Environment/12th International Conference on protection of Materials and Structures in a Space Environment,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Cultivation of research and project-support network for degradation of space-use materials -Concept of cluster type in-situ test facilities system- (2018)
  • Author(s): Minoru Iwata, Masahito Tagawa, Sumitaka Tachikawa, Issei Kato, Takayuki Hirose
  • Organizer: 14th International Symposium on Materials in the Space Environment/12th International Conference on protection of Materials and Structures in a Space Environment,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Evaluation of vacuum transfer vessel performance to construct cluster type in-situ test facilities network (2018)
  • Author(s): Alexandre Simon, Minoru Iwata, Masahito Tagawa, Sumitaka Tachikawa
  • Organizer: 14th International Symposium on Materials in the Space Environment/12th International Conference on protection of Materials and Structures in a Space Environment,
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 超低軌道環境における中性ガス衝突誘起材料劣化現象メカニズムの解析 (2018)
  • Author(s): 横田久美子、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第4回超低高度衛星の利用に向けたワークショップ
• [Presentation] 原子状酸素ビーム照射試験における残留未解離酸素分子の影響 (2018)
  • Author(s): 横田久美子、北 一貴、藤本友介、大倉僚太、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第79回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
• [Presentation] 超低軌道宇宙環境模擬のためのワンノズルツービームレーザーデトネーション原子状酸素ビーム装置 (2018)
  • Author(s): 横田久美子、大倉僚太、藤本友介、岩田稔、田川雅人
  • Organizer: 第39回日本熱物性シンポジウム
• [Book] 最新実用真空技術総覧 (2019)
  • Author(s): 最新実用真空技術総覧 編集委員会
  • Total Pages: 1084
  • Publisher: エヌ・ティー・エス
  • ISBN: 9784860435592
• [Remarks] 神戸大学大学院工学研究科における宇宙環境研究のページ
  • URL: http://www.space-environmental-effect.jp/index.html